Division Awards

The Assessment Award is presented to an individual or group that demonstrates a commitment to utilizing continuous assessment to implement best practices that improve services and enhance the student experience. The award celebrates all types of assessment, affirms that assessment is a learning process and values the entire continuum of knowledge and experience that make up that process.

2024 Recipient: Not Awarded

2023 Recipient: Nicholas Geremia, Office of New Student & Family Programs

2022 Recipient: Not Awarded

The Division Partner Award recognizes an outstanding individual, department or group from one of RU-N’s academic divisions or departments, who has made significant contributions to student development and learning as demonstrated through collaboration, involvement and partnerships with Student Affairs. The recipient continuously goes above and beyond their own occupational requirements to enhance the mission of Student Affairs by providing guidance, mentorship, advocacy, and advising; promoting leadership, personal responsibility and self-governance; and fostering an environment of inclusivity and appreciation for all.

2024 Recipient: Rutgers University Police Department, Newark Division

2023 Recipient: Rosa Marques, University Facilities

2022 Recipient: Mylene Tenorio & Danny Villanueva; Associate Vice Chancellor Dr. Bil Leipold

The Outstanding New Staff Award is presented to a staff member with less than two years of service within the Division who has demonstrated exemplary performance. This individual is one who has consistently produced high quality work, made a significant impact on campus life, and developed outstanding relationships with students, as well as other University and Community partners. This staff member has demonstrated strong leadership through a willingness to help others and collaboration with other departments within the Division.

*The two years of service is defined by two annual years. The 2023 recipient's employment date must be on or after January 1, 2021.

2024 Recipient: Amanda DePinho, Office of Student Life & Leadership; Kayla Henry, Student Health Services

2023 Recipient: Casaundra Pagan, Student Affairs Communications & Marketing

2022 Recipient: Louis Valderrama, Office of Veteran Affairs

The Graduate Student Award of Excellence will recognize a graduate student who has gone above and beyond expectations or honors a special, unique or extraordinary effort they have made within an assistantship or position. They demonstrate strengths in areas such as instruction, advising and assisting students, research and creative activity, outreach and/or service to the University, community and/or profession. Nominees must be a graduate student in good standing with the University and employed by a department within the Division of Student Affairs.

2024 Recipient: Khaleya Kelly, Office of Housing & Residence Life; Cassandra Lis, Intercultural Resource Center

2023 Recipient: Nelgie Lauredent, Office of Student Life & Leadership

2022 Recipient: Kelsey Dunne, Office of Student Life & Leadership

The Spirit of Student Affairs Award recognizes an individual staff member or group, that best exemplifies excellence, innovation and collaboration in their work and embodies the spirit of student affairs, including both our mission statement and goals. Recipient(s) have unselfishly gone above and beyond expectations to provide outstanding service to students, within the Division of Student Affairs, and Rutgers University – Newark.

** This award has been combined with the Innovation Award and Excellence in Collaboration Award, awarded in previous years**

2024 Recipient: Isnard Mir-Merced, Office of Student Life & Leadership

2023 Recipient: Leonard Hughley, Athletics & Recreation

2022 Recipient: Hend El Buri, pantryRUN

The Outstanding New Program or Service Award recognizes a new program or service that successfully meets the needs of RU-N students. It is responsive to student demands and is designed to be student-centered. The service is a resource to students that commands the support of the university community and is well-regarded and appreciated in its service to students at RU-N.

2024 Recipient: The Sophomore Experience, Office of Student Life & Leadership

2023 Recipient: First Year Leadership Retreat, Office of New Student & Family Programs

2022 Recipient: Not Awarded

The Vice Chancellor’s Award recognizes the staff member whose commitment to Rutgers University-Newark and the Division of Student Affairs is unmatched. This staff member’s consistency, creativity, dedication and solution-oriented outlook contributes to making RU-N a wonderful educational experience for students and a positive work environment for staff. This staff member is an inspiration to others, a total team member and a believer in all that is RU-N and Student Affairs.

2024 Recipient: Paul Lazaro, Office of Veteran Affairs

2023 Recipient: Erica Williams, Division of Student Affairs

2022 Recipient: Loly Cambeiro, Division of Student Affairs